PARIS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Wednesday unveiled a plan worth 500 million euros (563.5 million U.S. dollars) to help motorists with the lowest incomes, in a move to appease angry public at increasing fuel tax.
Speaking to RTL radio, Philippe said the current 2,000-euro bonus offered to low-income drivers would be doubled to encourage them to change their old and polluting vehicles for cleaner ones.
The package of measures also included an extension of kilometric allowances system to help the motorists who use their cars a lot, especially the small vehicles, as well as a special aid for low income families who use diesel fuel to heat their homes.
Philippe said the new plan which would cost the government 500 million euros, would be effective at the start of next year.
The government's new measures come as France was bracing on Saturday for nationwide protest against tax increases on petrol, with which the government hoped to accelerate energy transition and fight climate warming.
Created on social media, several groups have called for blockades and go-slow operations across the country to oppose the planned fuel tax and the rise in diesel's price, the most commonly used car fuel in France.
"The majority hears the remarks, the emotion, sometimes the anger expressed by the French, but going from a system such as it was conceived to a new one always causes difficulties," the prime minister said.
He added that doing nothing against CO2 emission would not be up to the challenges. (1 euro = 1.126 U.S. dollar)
